The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : BPCL is champion

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Thursday, Apr 26, 2007
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BPCL is champion

MUMBAI: BPCL left Air-India chasing shadows under floodlights, winning 4-1 in the 45th Bombay Gold Cup hockey 2007 final. The Bangalore team, coached by Romeo James, led 2-0 at the breather and was dominant, except late in the second half when its Mumbai rival stepped up the pace.

Playing the second back-to-back final at the Mahindra Stadium, BPCL went ahead off an indirect penalty corner goal by Pundalik Bellary five minutes into the match. Amar Aiyamma set the tone for the match with a reverse-hit on the run off a Prabhdeep Singh pass for the second goal (23rd), Irshad Ali slotted home another to complete a penalty corner drill wherein Prabhdeep relayed the ball within range.

Fourth attempt

Ravi Pal Singh put BPCL 4-0 up in the 42nd minute, slamming home a pull back by Aiyamma. Coached by K.K. Poonacha, AI reduced the margin through a Harshpreet Singh field goal and then managed to gain possession, but could not break through the BPCL defence.

Former international Sabu Varkey, a tearaway playmaker in the BPCL ranks, was named Player of the Final. The champion side had three other individual awardees in Aiyamma (Best Forward), Irshad Ali (Best Defender) and goalkeeper A. Kuttappa (Player of the Tournament).

Air-India custodian Gurpreet Singh was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper. BPCL, losing finalist last year against Army XI, picked up the first Gold Cup title this time in the all-India event. — Special Correspondent

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